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Emotiva Airmotivs XT3 and XC1 Center require perfect amplifier!

Bassmister

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I bought the speakers above and a Denon X1700h. I also bought dual Klipsch RP 1400SW for bass. I think the x1700h wasn't strong enough to drive the speakers because all the audio came out of the tweeter and there was very little distortion when you are up close to the speaker.

I decided to upgrade to Integra DXR 5.4 and now I'm looking for a good way to power my speakers.


The Emotiva website requires at least 100w of clean real power. Most companies boast there rated power but there real power doesn't match.

My speaker can handle 300w continuous and 600w peak.

What is a budget friendly amp with low distortion that can do this?

I was looking at Fosi Mono Block Class D and heard that stereo is recommended for LCR because of the imaging capabilities.

So I found Fosi V3 stereo.


I also looked at Rockville RPA9

And some Crown XLS1002 amp

I also looked at Aiyima A70.

I want low distortion 200-w00w real power budget as well.
 
I think the x1700h wasn't strong enough to drive the speakers because all the audio came out of the tweeter
That's not what happens when you don't have enough power! Insufficient power means everything doesn't go loud enough. That seems to suggest a wiring mistake, faulty speakers or wrong setup of the amplifier.
 
99% chance the straps connecting the binding posts just came loose, your woofers are literally not connected to the amplifier. An underpowered amp will clip/distort earlier but frequency response will not change by a substantial amount.

Most AV receivers will deliver at least 50 watts when all channels are driven, enough for most people. I would generally ignore the speakers manufacturers, buy amplification based on your needs rather than their arbitrary recommendations.

Monoblock amplifiers have a higher performance ceiling, a dedicated power supply for each channel minimizes cross-talk. However monoblocks inherently cost more for the same performance level, so I would not buy a cheap monoblock.

Rockville RPA9 and Crown XLS1002 are PA amps, focused on burst power. Their distortion and noise performance is barely acceptable IMO.


Aiyma A70 is TPA3255 chip based. It will deliver 185 watts into 4 Ohms at 1% distortion. It needs a 48V power supply for that, 36V drops to just 100 watts.


If you want a lot of high quality power you need to loosen the budget. Something like a Hypex NC252MP module will do an honest 250 watts with near state of the art distortion + noise.


 
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That's not what happens when you don't have enough power! Insufficient power means everything doesn't go loud enough. That seems to suggest a wiring mistake, faulty speakers or wrong setup of the amplifier.
Considering this happened with all speakers I think it's the wiring. I bought goofy preinstalled banana plugs and onside fit after being pushed and the other side didn't fit into x1700h so I barely wired. I mean it didn't sound bad but I noticed only the tweeter was producing sound. Did watch a couple movies. Hopefully no harm?
 
I was looking at Fosi Mono Block Class D and heard that stereo is recommended for LCR because of the imaging capabilities.
I would view that assertion with suspicion. If anything, mono blocks should provide better stereo separation.

I have not reviewed the specifications of the Fosi Stereo amplifier, but modern amplifiers typically provide adequate stereo separation. So, likely the difference in stereo separation between the two setups is not audible.

EDIT: An important factor for good imaging is that the speakers exhibit very similar in-room frequency response above the mid-bass region, maybe above 200 Hz or so. I have achieved noticeable improvements in imaging using DSP to tune both channels to a target frequency response curve, as measured at the listening position.
 
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99% chance the straps connecting the binding posts just came loose, your woofers are literally not connected to the amplifier. An underpowered amp will clip/distort earlier but frequency response will not change by a substantial amount.

Most AV receivers will deliver at least 50 watts when all channels are driven, enough for most people. I would generally ignore the speakers manufacturers, buy amplification based on your needs rather than their arbitrary recommendations.

Monoblock amplifiers have a higher performance ceiling, a dedicated power supply for each channel minimizes cross-talk. However monoblocks inherently cost more for the same performance level, so I would not buy a cheap monoblock.

Rockville RPA9 and Crown XLS1002 are PA amps, focused on burst power. Their distortion and noise performance is barely acceptable IMO.


Aiyma A70 is TPA3255 chip based. It will deliver 185 watts into 4 Ohms at 1% distortion. It needs a 48V power supply for that, 36V drops to just 100 watts.


If you want a lot of high quality power you need to loosen the budget. Something like a Hypex NC252MP module will do an honest 250 watts with near state of the art distortion + noise.


I watched a review on the speakers I bought and they said these speakers are power hungry so more is better. 600 for 2 250w is kind pricey for me. Would buying 2 A70 be enough or should one go buying three A70 and bi amping the speakers?

This is my plan:
Reciever Integra 5.4 bought from a authorized Integra reseller.


Then I need amps:
I was thinking of trying to save some money and buy 2 A70s with 48v 10A GaN from AliExpress.

And

Save money buying it this way. I don't know if I should buy from AliExpress however

Or I considering buying the Hypec 250w x2 for the towers and biamping the center to the receiver or maybe using a A70 for the receiver.

What would sound best? I have a 15x18 room with a open hallway to the left and sit about 16 feet from the speaker.

Third option would be 3 A70s and bi amping all of them.
 
I would view that assertion with suspicion. If anything, mono blocks should provide better stereo separation.

I have not reviewed the specifications of the Fosi Stereo amplifier, but modern amplifiers typically provide adequate stereo separation. So, likely the difference in stereo separation between the two setups is not audible.
The Fosi V3 Mono Class D? You can get them very cheap on eBay even tho the power supply is pricey for 48V 10A.

Unless this would work?

Is the wattage it delivers at .05THD the real power compared to 1%THD test readings?
 
Both amplifiers are a very good value, and either will work. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. Review Amir's reviews of those amplifiers to see what you think will work best for you:


 
Considering this happened with all speakers I think it's the wiring. I bought goofy preinstalled banana plugs and onside fit after being pushed and the other side didn't fit into x1700h so I barely wired. I mean it didn't sound bad but I noticed only the tweeter was producing sound. Did watch a couple movies. Hopefully no harm?
It's totally pointless changing amplifiers until you sort this out. I suspect your X1700 is sufficient for your speakers. Work on the wiring or setup until you get all the drivers working. This might be that there is a metal "strap" between the bass/mids and tweeters missing or not properly connected. Or your X1700 is setup wrong - try a full reset
 
It's totally pointless changing amplifiers until you sort this out. I suspect your X1700 is sufficient for your speakers. Work on the wiring or setup until you get all the drivers working. This might be that there is a metal "strap" between the bass/mids and tweeters missing or not properly connected. Or your X1700 is setup wrong - try a full reset
I took banana plugs off both sides and it sounds a tad bit cleaner. I mean it just leaves me confused. When sitting on my couch the sound doesn't seem that bad. It's only when I get close I notice most of the sound comes from the tweeters. I gently place my hand on the midrange drivers and they do vibrate but very little.

The x1700h can handle 4 ohms speakers but apparently it doesn't do this very well. And it has a single bass calibration unlike the x3800h and Integra 5.4.

I decided on the Fosi Mono V3 Class D amps.
I'm considering getting five of them and bi amping the towers so I get around 400w for each tower of actual power.

I know some people say Bi Amping won't make a difference but after watching a YouTube review on the Airmotivs X series I learned they are seriously power hungry. So for most speakers the regular amp should be sufficient but I think I might be able to benefit from 400w for each tower with bi amping.

A guess I guess. I could be wrong.
 
What's your crossover setting in the AVR? Disable the subs and run the towers full range to help identify the potential issue. Even better, run one tower at a time with something you're familiar with and see if it sounds right.
 
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